Innholdsfortegnelse for March 2025 i Ideal Home

I love nothing more than a stop-me-in-my-tracks ‘before and after’. Seeing an image of what a space used to look like next to how it looks after a total makeover is just pure magic. I’ve always been drawn to them, and it’s how I started my career at Ideal Home many years ago, joining the houses team to source all the kitchen and bathroom transformations for the magazine. From whole house renovations, to mini room makeovers, I can’t get enough! “I simply can’t get enough of amazing home makeovers, large and small” Of course, the before and after shots don’t take into account all the hard work (and often stress and mess!) that goes into any home project – all of the houses featured in this issue have been totally…

What the experts say... Designers and stylists share their views ‘A beautiful, versatile colour that can be used in many ways throughout the home, heather is a great choice for creating a calming and serene atmosphere. We love how it looks when paired with natural wood tones and soft whites. For a bolder look, try combining it with deep blues or greens.’ VICTORIA YARDLEY, FOUNDER, VICTORY COLOURS ‘Heather is one of those colours that can infuse a room with a timeless and subtle elegance. A soft blend of muted purple, with varying notes of pink and grey, this versatile shade is easy to use and complements a wide range of styles.’ MANDY RIPPON, PRODUCT MANAGER, FRENCHIC PAINT ‘Heather is a beautiful, muted shade of purple that can add a touch…

WHERE TO BUY…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Lisa Oliver, a property investor and owner of a HMO management business, lives here with husband Lee Underhill, who works in financial services, their daughter Freya, 17, and son Charlie, 15, plus dogs Coco and Elvis, and cat Mo. THE PROPERTY Five-bed Edwardian detached house in Horsell, Surrey. when Lisa and Lee viewed their home-to-be, they weren’t put off by 40 years of neglect and the amount of work that needed to be done, unlike other potential buyers. ‘We were bonkers enough to go for it,’ says Lisa. The house had a traditional double-fronted layout with a narrow kitchen extension at the rear. Their builders removed the existing extension and, using the same footprint, created a new two-storey extension as wide as the house for…

Modern bathrooms are awash with imagination, flexibility and glamour. Any bathroom renovation will benefit hugely from strategically positioned lighting that’s flexible, mood-enhancing and immensely satisfying to look at, whether switched on, or off. Let our experts explain how to make it happen in just four simple steps. 1 FIND AN ELECTRICIAN If you’re installing additional lights, adding in more circuits or just moving things around, you’ll need to get the work carried out by a skilled electrician. Most bathroom electrical work will need to be tested and certified that it’s compliant with building safety standards. The easiest way to make that happen is to find an electrician who is registered with a government body such as NICEIC or NAPIT as they can self-certify the work. 2 CREATE A LIGHTING PLAN…

One of the biggest tech-related buzzwords of late is AI. Is it helpful? Will it put people out of work? Will machines take over the world? …And so on. While the second and third questions hopefully will never come to fruition, the answer to whether AI is helpful is most definitely yes. Generative AI, that is the AI that generates any form of data, from words and pictures to specific actions tailored precisely to a task, is becoming more prevalent in humble kitchen appliances. But how exactly? We reveal all… (Extra) clever washing machines These days, the latest washing machines often come with auto dosing – this means you top up a cartridge or tank in the machine with detergent every couple of weeks and the machine will automatically add…

A key trend sweeping through interiors at the moment is something old dressed up as something new! Coined nostalgia-core, this trend is one I’ve been embracing since I moved into my first home over 20 years ago. Drawing on design inspiration from the past, nostalgia-core is all about forging a deeper connection with your home by incorporating styles or pieces that hold cherished memories. I have always liked to include furniture from my grandparents’ house. In fact, some of my favourite pieces go back to previous generations, hailing from the homes of great- or even great-great-grandparents. The refectory table that I use as a desk, where I’m currently sat, is a prime example. Part of the reason for embracing vintage and second-hand options when setting up my own home was…

YOU WILL NEED ● Wooden chair ● Newspaper ● A section of wallpaper of your choice ● Pencil ● Scissors ● Mod Podge glue (£6.99 for 118ml, Amazon) ● Squeegee ● Clear varnish Start by making a template for the seat and seat back using newspaper. Place the template on your wallpaper then draw around the shape and cut it out carefully. Glue it into place with the Mod Podge, and use a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles. Leave to dry and top with a coat of varnish.…

Investing in a new kitchen is one of the most popular home renovations in the UK and for many, the only one that they might ever undertake. From redesigning to make better use of a small space or extending out for more, a kitchen revamp is a massive outlay so it stands to reason that you’d want to be sure all the decisions you make now are ones you’ll still be happy with in years to come. There are so many elements of the design to consider, too, from the cabinetry and the layout to the appliances and the fixtures. That’s why it’s so important to do your homework and get a clear idea of what you like – and don’t – from the outset. If you’re taking the plunge…

STYLE STATEMENT Confident combo Kelling Home’s spring collection has a vibrant and optimistic appeal – just what we need after hibernating over winter! The Abbey sofa (shown here), with its embroidered Dhurrie fabric is a key piece that will certainly inspire a scheme (note the detail of the green hand-turned feet). There’s a coordinating armchair, too, in bold fuchsia with green piping. Perhaps, months on, we’re still bathed in ‘Wicked fever’, but the combination of the green sofa and the pink cushions is making us long to change our colour schemes to something a little bolder for the new season. IH LOVES... Statement lights Evangeline chandelier, £89, Novogratz at Next W hat to do this month... READ Get a hold on overwhelming clutter with Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman’s Reset…

Try colour drenching Let gorgeous furniture stand out by painting the walls, woodwork and ceiling in the same calm colour. If your dining set is a cool hue, choose a warm tone for the walls and vice versa. Give it a twist… Try two shades of one colour for a more complex look that still lets your pieces stand out. Build a booth Turn a flat-pack shelving unit on its side to make a short bench that will fit into a corner of your kitchen-diner. A wall-mounted headboard fitted behind and a foam bench cushion turn it into a booth. Give it a twist… Choose shelving with doors to create dust-proof storage for tableware and linens. Set up a family hub Pegboard sheets are great for displaying reminders, timetables and…

TAKE IT BACK TO NEUTRALS For a calming interior, you can’t go wrong with a warming neutral shade, such as Earthborn’s new colour of the year, Crocky Road. Use it to refresh a space, whether you want to fill your room with similar tones or use the colour as a backdrop to a more vibrant scheme. 2 CREATE A MANTEL DISPLAY A fireplace decorated with foliage isn’t only for Christmas – embrace spring with a mantle arrangement made from lengths of willow and flowers. Secure the willow branches to your mantel using florist’s tape or Command M hooks (try fishing wire to tie them to the hooks), then thread through the flowers of your choice for an eye-catching display. WALLPAPER CHEAT SHEET 3 Freshen up your entryway with a new…

KITCHEN NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Anna Newton lives here with her husband, Mark, and their three-year-old son Ralph. THE PROJECT Extending the back of a Victorian semi-detached property to create a spacious kitchen with a window seat and dining area. TOTAL COST £48,000 When Anna and Mark first moved into their Victorian home in Brighton, the kitchen was part of the original structure and typical of a period property - long and narrow, with a lean-to utility that had been added at a later date. ‘We extended out to the length of the lean-to and a metre to the side,’ says Anna. ‘This allowed us to reconfigure the space and provided side access to the garden and wonderful uninterrupted views to the outside.’ Originally, the kitchen felt dark and confined.…

“WHAT’S BECOMING IMPORTANT IS THE ABILITY TO SUB-DIVIDE AND HAVE BREAKOUT SPACES” Keeping an eye on what’s new in the world of home improvement will ensure your project not only benefits from the latest in home tech, but also that it looks up-to-date. Knowing what’s worth doing and what might be viewed as a fad almost before the project is complete could mean the difference between added value and a waste of money. We asked some top architects and designers about what they think you should be including in your renovation. Here’s what we expect will be big in 2025 and beyond… 1 CLADDING WITH BENEFITS A huge trend is for exterior cladding that doubles as external wall insulation (EWI). This is a popular choice for older houses, where adding…

Whether your heart is set on a sun-soaked kitchen-diner or a cosy new snug for the kids, extending your property provides an opportunity to create the space you need and add value to your home. Another benefit of enlarging your property is that it gives you the chance to craft a tailored space that oozes personality and design flair. Even if you are working with a tight project fund, it’s worth bearing in mind that wow-factor design features aren’t necessarily limited to the realm of big budget schemes. Dedicating plenty of time to refining the design details at the start of your project will pay dividends later, as it’ll help you maximise every penny you spend, whether you are building a single-storey extension, or opting for a double-storey addition instead.…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ There are three different types of dehumidifiers. Compressor dehumidifiers are the most common. Sometimes called refrigerant or condenser dehumidifiers, they draw air into the machine via a fan, then run the air over cold coils to condense the moisture from it, which is collected in a condensed water tank. The coils are kept cool by refrigerant, which means the unit also has a built-in compressor. The only downside is that they need the air to be warm for this to work. Most will work above 5°C, but they’re most efficient at around 20°C. ■ Desiccant dehumidifiers use an absorbent material or chemical desiccant to extract moisture from the air. They can operate efficiently in lower temperatures, down to just 1°C, making them useful for unheated rooms.…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Green vegetable patio planters, £12,99 for three, Crocus■ Slimline 100ltr water butt, £69.95, Sarah Raven■ Hotbin 100ltr mini composter, £179.99, Marshalls Garden It’s a common misconception that you need lots of space to grow your own fruits and vegetables in your garden at home: there are so many varieties that will happily grow in pots, hanging baskets and grow bags. All you need is a little time and patience, and some good-quality well-aerated, fertilised soil to plant in and you’ll be reaping the benefits come summer. FIND A GOOD LOCATION Start by finding the right spot for your plot. A good starting size for a vegetable garden would be between 75-100sq ft, but even if you only have a very tiny balcony, that can do the…

You’re probably not aware of it, but your home could be damaging your health. Or, at least, it could be failing to make you happier and healthier in the way it might. If you have damp and mould, underlying structural issues should be urgently dealt with to prevent respiratory problems. Similarly, dangers such as faulty electrics, leaks and loose carpet or spongy floorboards should always be the priority. However, other changes are simple to do and could make all the difference to your wellbeing, and boost your mood at home. From poor air quality and clutter to disturbed sleep and inappropriate lighting, there are many snags with an easy fix. 1 PRIORITISE SLEEP A good night's rest is the bedrock of good health – both physical and mental. There are…

Courgette fritters with poached eggs SERVES 4 READY IN 35 MINS ● 100g broccoli, finely chopped ● 250g courgettes (about 3), grated ● 40g pecorino, grated ● 6 eggs ● 45g chickpea flour ● Zest and juice of 1 lime ● 1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped ● 1tbsp sunflower seeds ● 1/2tsp sumac, plus extra ● Vegetable oil for frying ● 2tbsp white wine vinegar ● 4tbsp crème fraiche ● 1 red chilli, chopped ● Microherbs – we used basil (optional) 1 Mix together the broccoli and courgettes, pecorino, 2 eggs, chickpea flour, lime zest and juice, parsley, sunflower seeds and sumac. Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and fry 8 spoonfuls of the mixture for 2-3 mins each side until cooked through. Set aside…

Technology moves at a bewildering pace in the appliance industry and there’s always some new time, energy or brain-saving innovation that you didn’t know you needed. Anyone with a boiling water tap will recognise this truth. It’s also easy to get carried away with the promise of clever kit or the highest spec oven you can find, when in reality you’ll never use half of the functions. Furthermore, when it comes to positioning your appliances, there are plenty of potential pitfalls. With all that in mind, industry experts share their advice to help you make the most of your space… 1 STREAMLINE YOUR SPACE WITH BUILT-IN APPLIANCES ‘If space is tight, built-in appliances such as ovens and fridge-freezers often work better – they help to streamline the kitchen, as your…

STYLE DIRECTION“Create an immersive feel by adding a second co-ordinating wallpaper design to your fifth wall – the ceiling"HEATHER YOUNG, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MIX AND MATCH Use floral papers on every surface for maximum impact in a bedroom. By pairing soft green and apricot with plain bed linen and a natural sisal floor, you can keep the look calm and relaxed BEST OF BOTH Contrast vintage floral fabrics and artwork, which together have an organic, natural feel. Combined with the clean lines of the furniture and contemporary architecture here, they create a dining space that is effortlessly linked to the garden outside ADD A SOFT TOUCH Pretty florals aren’t just for quaint cottages; traditional meadow and garden-inspired prints are perfect for softening hard lines in modern spaces and creating a connection with…

MEET THE EXPERTS JOANNA THORNHILL, AUTHOR AND STYLIST ‘The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis have drastically impacted the demands we now place on our homes.’ DAVID BARRETT, HEAD OF FURNITURE AT JOHN LEWIS ‘For a lot of people, [homes] have become a second place of work.’ AARTI POPAT, AARTI POPAT INTERIOR DESIGN/THE INTERIOR DESIGNERS’ CLUB ‘There used to be a time when one room was dedicated to one function, and now that simply isn’t the case – rooms need to work much harder.’ Anyone else feel as if their home is constantly changing? From home office by day to restaurant pop-up by night, playroom to teenage chill-out den, we want the four walls around us to appear bigger, better, flexible and more stylish than ever before. But how can our…

1. NATURAL WOOD Key components of a Scandi-style kitchen are natural materials, and light woods such as beech, ash and pale oak are ideal for cabinetry – look for a wood where you can see the grain to elevate its charm. Pair with matching stools or other wood pieces for a warm, inviting scheme. Sletten cabinetry in Signal White and Skog range in White pigmented oak, with Caesarstone Cloudburst concrete worktops. Bespoke kitchens from £54,000, Sola Kitchens 2. WARM NEUTRALS When it comes to kitchen walls, keep the scheme airy and bright with neutrals, but choose warm shades so the room isn’t too stark. Cream, beige and sand or even an off-white or soft taupe work well and will create a calming environment you’ll want to spend time in. The…

HOME NOTES WHO LIVES HERE? Martin Cole lives here with his wife, Judy and their daughter, Isla, 12, and son, Hayden, eight, as well as their three cats, Oreo, Kimchi and Chaplin. THE PROJECT To transform the large family bathroom that hadn’t been touched since the 1970s. TOTAL COST £45,000 Despite having had an offer accepted on a new build, something about this 1970s property got Martin and Judy Cole’s hearts racing - so they couldn’t resist a last-minute viewing the day their other offer was accepted. ‘We’d been wanting to view this house for a while, and when we eventually got through the front door we knew it was the one; we fell head over heels in love with its unique design,’ recalls Martin. ‘One of the key selling…

Kitchen flooring can make or break the space. Get it wrong and you’ll have to replace it sooner rather than later. Aside from the appearance, there are other considerations. For instance, if the space is small, flooring that visually expands the room is a must, while the material needs to be durable, moisture-resistant, and look good for years to come. Yet the choice is vast, making it easy to feel overwhelmed. We asked several experts for their advice on what to look for when shopping for a new kitchen floor. 1 CHOOSE CLASSIC WOOD In the past, wood has often been thought of as unsuitable for kitchen flooring but thanks to developments in recent years, there is no reason why homeowners can’t enjoy the beauty and warmth of wood in…

If your microwave is looking a little grimy, turn to page 138 for top tips on how to CLEAN it; on page 140, read how to successfully share your FINANCES with a partner; see page 141 for advice on ORGANISING a compact living room; turn to page 143 to discover how AI APPLIANCES can make your life easier; and finally, if you’re in the market for either a DEHUMIDIFIER or a STEAM CLEANER, check out our top-rated brands on pages 144 and 146 respectively.…

Adding sufficient storage in any room is crucial to keeping the space uncluttered and organised, and that’s especially true with a compact living room. ‘Space is at a premium when you’re working with a small room so you need to maximise the opportunity to create clever but functional storage,’ says Siân Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and president of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO). Ingenuity is needed when eking out space in a small room. Every corner or gap can be a storage opportunity. ‘You can maximise every inch while keeping it stylish. The key is to prioritise what you truly need and find clever ways to store or hide it when not in use,’ says Siân. To help you make the most of your space, we asked…

BEFORE YOU BUY ■ As a rule, there are three types of steam cleaners to choose from – mops, convertible and cylinder machines. If you only want to clean floors, a steam mop is a simple-to-use device, making it a fab upgrade on a traditional mop. It will be light and easy to manoeuvre and you won’t have to store any extra tools. Convertible steam cleaners double as an upright steam mop that becomes a handheld cleaner when required. They also come with various tools for steam cleaning smaller areas. Finally, for the ultimate in powerful, long-lasting steam, there’s the cylinder cleaner. These generate a constant flow of steam that makes light work of anything, but take up a lot more storage space. ■ Josh Warren, AO.com’s floorcare expert explains:…

■ MOW THE LAWN If your lawn is in need of a trim (and it probably is after a winter of being left to the elements), give it the first mow of the year. Choose a dry day to do this or you’ll end up doing more harm than good! As well as mowing the lawn itself, be sure to trim or strim the edges, recutting where necessary, using a spade or special edging tool for a neat finish. Make sure you have all the tools you’ll need before you begin, so you can complete the job! ■ PLANT BULBS FOR SUMMER BLOOMS With the chance of a late overnight frost still possible, continue to sow seeds under glass, if you can. The warmer conditions are ideal for sun-loving summer…

“Piglet’s linen is made from flax grown on farms using crop rotation and fields are left to rest between harvests, making it a sustainable choice” Linen for life Fancy adding a bit of the timeless check trend into your scheme? Take a look at Piglet’s latest range, the Emsworth check design. Available in three colourways – Yellow, Blueberry and Elm Green – it’s a classic look that will never go out of fashion. This is just as well, because while Piglet’s linen is definitely an investment, the quality of the sustainable materials used and the finish on each set ensures that this linen will last you for decades to come. FUTURE TECH The tech industry has long been accused of an overreliance on one-use-only materials that all end up in…

The TV presenter and radio host lives in London with her economist husband David Osman and their two daughters. WHAT DO YOU DO THE SECOND YOU WALK THROUGH YOUR DOOR? I take off my shoes, for no other reason than when I was a little girl, my late mum always wanted us to take off our shoes. It’s a habit that was instilled in me. WHERE’S YOUR HAPPY PLACE AT HOME? The kitchen. We’ve got a small Victorian terrace with a tiny kitchen with a table against the wall that fits four around it. I’ve got both my girls at home because my elder daughter has finished uni and works but can’t afford rent because it’s so high. I’m pleased and may she never be able to afford rent because…

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, and for good reason; it’s long since surpassed serving the single function of cooking, and can now be used for socialising, living, eating, working and playing, too. Kitchen layouts are the foundations upon which everything else in the room revolves, and choosing the right one for your home will make or break your culinary space. Planning a kitchen is just as much about aesthetics as it is about practicalities, because who wants a layout that functions well, but is uninspiring to the eye? Or a layout that looks great, but is inconvenient to move around? ‘Significant investment goes into planning and designing a kitchen – not only monetary, but also in terms of the length of time you will want…

Bar stools A stylish place for guests to perch at your worktop I am also available in eight other colourways Drawer pulls Classy hardware to smarten up your kitchen cabinets My coating protects against fingerprints Sleek taps Refresh your kitchen sink area with a neat new fixture My discs prevent debris build-up Pendant lights When golden glow meets statement feature You can adjust my height when you fit me Kitchen trolleys A handy extra surface with storage if you’re short on space I’m mounted on castors, so you can move me with ease…